Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China

by Jung Chang | Biographies & Memoirs |
ISBN: 0743254392 Global Overview for this book
Registered by MazieNH of Hooksett, New Hampshire USA on 2/8/2004
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8 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by MazieNH from Hooksett, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, February 8, 2004
This book was a pretty fascinating read - a true story memoir of three generations of women in China - the author, her mother, and her grandmother, and the giant changes taking place in China during each of their lifetimes.

The scope of the book follows China from the Manchu empire, through the Communist revolution and rise to power, through Tiananmen Square and the present day. The changes are viewed not from a political textbook point of view, but through the lives of three women, involved in those changes to varying degrees.

The book was dense reading, it felt like an entertaining college course! I enjoyed it very much though.

It's available for loan or trade....


Journal Entry 2 by MazieNH from Hooksett, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, June 3, 2004
was reserved for lthj, but never responded to PM's

Journal Entry 3 by MazieNH from Hooksett, New Hampshire USA on Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Hold for frybaby in trade for Artemis Fowl

Released 19 yrs ago (9/24/2004 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

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Mailed to frybaby 9/24 or 9/25 in trade for Artemis Fowl

Journal Entry 5 by frybaby from Savannah, Georgia USA on Friday, October 1, 2004
Got it today. Thanks!

Journal Entry 6 by frybaby from Savannah, Georgia USA on Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Started but couldn't get into it.
Relayed to bookmaniac70 in Bulgaria. 12/29

Journal Entry 7 by bookmaniac70 from София / Sofia, Sofiya Bulgaria on Thursday, March 10, 2005
Arrived in Sofia.Thanks for sending!

Journal Entry 8 by bookmaniac70 from София / Sofia, Sofiya Bulgaria on Sunday, July 20, 2008
Taking with me on vacation.

Journal Entry 9 by bookmaniac70 from София / Sofia, Sofiya Bulgaria on Thursday, July 31, 2008
Very impressive and sad document of a social experiment on an enormous scale. The lives of those three Chinese women were certainly worth of being preserved. I admired the courage and the strong characters of writer`s parents. Also I was very moved by the affection and kindness between the members of the family. I admit that generally,the book was a bit overburdened with details for me but I realize it adds to its documental and human value.

Journal Entry 10 by bookmaniac70 from София / Sofia, Sofiya Bulgaria on Thursday, August 28, 2008
BOOKRAY LIST:

Tanamo,UK,int.
snapdragongirl- US, US or Canada
MaryZee- US,US/Canada
darkpunkangel- Canada,int.
Kiri- US,US shipping
Dawgmycat-US,US shipping
hopi100- US, int.


Important note:

The book is already travelling to UK. European participants can still join only if they are able to ship internationally. Sorry!

Journal Entry 11 by bookmaniac70 at Hinckley, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (9/3/2008 UTC) at Hinckley, Leicestershire United Kingdom

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Sent to Tanamo.

Journal Entry 12 by Tanamo from Hinckley, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Arrived safely today though the package was rather battered. I have some more ring books in the queue in front of this but I will get to it as soon as I can.

Journal Entry 13 by Tanamo from Hinckley, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Monday, October 13, 2008
Not an easy read. I found the many cruelties mentioned in this book very distressing, be it the binding of feet, the behaviour of jealous relatives, the torture and oppression by invading organisations, not to mention the control exercised by Mao. There, but for the Grace of God, could have gone I. The West is not perfect but, particularly as a female, I am blessed to have been born in the UK. I admire the strength and tenanicty of all three women featured and, difficult though it is, all women should read this book.

Snapdragongirl has asked to be skipped so I will pm MaryZee for her address so I can get the book on its way once again.

Journal Entry 14 by Tanamo from Hinckley, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Mailed to MaryZee today.

Journal Entry 15 by wingmaryzeewing from Taneytown, Maryland USA on Monday, October 20, 2008
Arrived safely today. It'll be a bit before I get started on this; my current read is rather sizeable. But it shouldn't be too long. I'll update here when I'm able to start on this one.

10/31 update - Starting on this one now.

Journal Entry 16 by wingmaryzeewing from Taneytown, Maryland USA on Sunday, November 9, 2008
I certainly enjoyed reading this book, although I've been reading too many long books lately. Memoirs are one of my favorite genres of books. I'm not sure why I signed up for this one, either someone on BC recommended it, or I may have seen an entry on the Book-a-Day calendar. It's definitely a very good book, one I would recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about China during the Mao years.

This book was very interesting, in that it covered the time period from when women's feet were still being bound (horrible to think that was still happening in the 20th century!), through the Communist revolution until Mao died and more rights were restored to the citizens. I think the most shocking thing to me was the denunciations and torture that went on during the Cultural Revolution. It's hard to understand from our western viewpoint how people can spy and report on each other like this.

Thanks to everyone for sharing this wonderful book. I have Darkpunkangel's address and will be mailing this off in a few days.

Mailed to DarkPunkAngel on 11/13.

Journal Entry 17 by darkpunkangel from Barrie, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, December 10, 2008
This arrived safe and sound yesterday, I already started reading this any I'm enjoying it so far. Thanks for sending this MaryZee and bookmaniac70 for starting this ray.

Journal Entry 18 by darkpunkangel from Barrie, Ontario Canada on Monday, January 26, 2009
I haven't had the time to get into this one so I'm going to pass this on to the next person today.

Journal Entry 19 by darkpunkangel at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Monday, January 26, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (1/26/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

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Sent today to the next participant, hope you enjoy the book! Thanks bookmaniac70 for organizing this ray.

Journal Entry 20 by Kiri from Santa Rosa, California USA on Sunday, February 8, 2009
TBR and on pile to be read asap! =)
Update 20 Feb 09 - Have read this and it is very interesting. Considering I have read several other Chinese biographies (including Pu Yi's) this offers a very interesting perspective on the period up until the end of the 1980's.
Have pm'd Dawgmycat for an address - waiting for that to send this along.
20 Feb 09 - pm'd Dawgmycat for her address
15 mar 09 - pm'd again as have not had a response from Dawgmycat yet.
28 Apr 09 - no response after repeated tries. Contacting ray mistress.
--
07 May 09 - pm'd hopi100 for address (not on rabck)
08 May 09 - address received from Hopi100 book now packaged and ready to go out! =)

Journal Entry 21 by Kiri at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Friday, May 8, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (5/9/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

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Onto Hopi100!

Journal Entry 22 by hopi100 from Alexandria, Virginia USA on Wednesday, July 1, 2009
This just arrived today, after a long journey (was postmarked May 9!). Thanks so much! I can't wait to get started! :)

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